Mideast Africa

Turkey starts mass production of miniature drone missile

Engineers have has extended the Bozok’s range from an original 9 km to 15 km, and they are working on a more effective warhead.

Marines closing down Kuwait gear stockpile to focus on Pacific

The Marine Corps is shuttering its combat gear storage program in the Middle East.

Israel simulates long-range airstrikes over Mediterranean

The drill took place as part of a larger, monthlong military exercise, which included earlier combat simulations in Cyprus.

Israel launches Edge of Tomorrow program to improve lethality, bring in new tech

Edge of Tomorrow is meant to ultimately deliver thousands of systems, as well as technology later developed based on those systems, for operational use.

Commentary

Israel has a KC-46 problem. Here’s the solution.

The U.S. and Israel urgently need to replace their aging aerial refueling fleets with the modernized KC-46A. The problem is the aircraft has been plagued by development challenges and delays.

US State Dept. approves $1 billion sale to Nigeria, delayed over human rights concerns

The U.S. State Department has cleared the sale of 12 AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopters to Nigeria worth nearly $1 billion, apparently after U.S. lawmakers lifted objections over human rights concerns.

US awaits final $17 million repayment from Saudis for air refueling in Yemen war

Between March 2015 and November 2018, the Pentagon spent about $300 million to fly aerial refueling missions in support of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and others engaged in the nearly eight-year conflict.

AFRICOM’s chief warned Mali about the Wagner Group. It didn’t work.

America’s top commander for Africa said Thursday he personally urged Mali’s ruling military junta not to invite in Russian mercenaries the Wagner Group before it did just that.

New security training and oversight after 2020 Manda Bay attack

All troops deploying to U.S Africa Command will receive the new training.

Saudi industry to produce THAAD air defense subsystems

In the first program of its kind in Saudi Arabia, a local organization is teaming with American firm Lockheed Martin to produce parts for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system.

Chinese and Saudi firms create joint venture to make military drones in the kingdom

Advanced Communications and Electronics Systems Co. signed an agreement with China Electronics Technology Group Corp., with the two companies announcing their tie-up during the World Defense Show in Riyadh.

Israel reveals first time it used F-35 to shoot down Iranian drone

Israel says the interception took place before the UAVs could enter Israeli airspace. This means they were shot down over the airspace of at least one other country.

Turkey’s policy changes could see defense biz grow with Gulf rivals

Analysts agree that, faced with declining approval ratings, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan needs to lure foreign investment and boost mutual trade partnerships to improve the economy ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections in June 2023.

Here’s what stood out at the UAE’s unmanned defense expo

And see the systems that Russian, Chinese, Indian and American businesses showed off to potential clients.

UAE to buy a dozen Chinese L-15 trainer aircraft

UAE Air Force Col. Abdulnaser Al Humeidi revealed the country’s intent to buy the fixed-winged Chinese aircraft, with the possibility of increasing the quantity to 36.

US Navy plans launch of Mideast drone force alongside allies

Vice Adm. Brad Cooper said he hopes the drone force using artificial intelligence would be operational by the summer of 2023 to put more “eyes and ears on the water.”

Iran-backed attacks are further driving UAE-Israeli defense tech development

It was about a year ago that Emirati defense conglomerate Edge Group partnered with Israel Aerospace Industries to develop counter-drone systems, marking the first defense collaboration of its kind between the two countries.

UAE’s Edge Group to release tube-launched Hunter 10 drone in 2023

The first prototype of the Hunter 10 was unveiled during the 2021 Dubai Airshow near its 58-kilogram tube launcher.

Hezbollah claims it’s making drones and missiles in Lebanon; chief offers export opportunity

“We have started manufacturing drones in Lebanon a long time ago. Those who want to buy can fill out an application.”

Israel plans ‘laser wall,’ but questions remain about effectiveness and cost

Where will Israel station the weapons? Will they be able to defend the country against rockets? Is the technology affordable, and what platforms will host the laser systems?

Singapore Airshow

Russia sends warplanes to Syria for naval drills in Mediterranean

Russia also has expanded and modified a naval base in the Syrian port of Tartus, the only such facility that Russia has outside the former Soviet Union.

Iraq seeks French drones and jets, additional Russian tanks

Iraq’s military is seeking several defense systems of different origins, including French Rafale fighter jets, drones and artillery, as well as Russian T-90 tanks, with some ongoing negotiations reaching an advanced stage.

Turkish shipyard preps two landing crafts for Qatari Navy

Anadolu officials noted the LCMs would be delivered to the Qatari Navy at an August ceremony and reach Qatar in September.

Turkey’s own Atmaca missile to replace Harpoons on its Navy ships

An official from state-controlled missile-maker Roketsan, a co-producer of Atmaca, says the weapon will replace more than 350 Harpoons in the next two to three years.

Iran unveils new missile it says can strike US bases, Israel

Iran's state TV said the missile has high accuracy, is manufactured completely domestically, and can defeat missile shield systems.